Taohua silently followed behind, thinking to herself that Shen the Viper was truly heartless. Not only did he show no concern for his own woman, but he also didn’t seem worried about the child.
In the two years since establishing his household, his rear courtyard had been full, yet there had been no offspring. Now that there might be one, even if unconfirmed, shouldn’t he at least show some excitement? Instead, he was strolling around like an old man. Was his heart truly made of stone?
The group slowly made their way to Wenqing Pavilion. As soon as they arrived, the doctor bowed to Shen Zaiyi, his brows furrowed as he said, “This old one is incompetent. For now, I cannot determine whether the lady is with a child or not.”
“Mm.” Shen Zaiyi sat down by the bed and looked at Gu Huairou, saying, “The last time we were intimate was a month ago. It’s not unusual that it can’t be confirmed yet, as it hasn’t been long enough.”
Gu Huairou looked at him with surprise, “My lord, why have you come?”
“Liu Shi said there was something unusual about your body, so she went to Lingwu Court to request my presence.” Shen Zaiyi looked at her with a slight smile, “Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes, better.” With a slight frown, Gu Huairou glanced at Liu Shi, then quickly said to Shen Zaiyi, “It was presumptuous of Xiang Jun to trouble you to come personally. Please don’t blame her, my lord.”
Liu Shi stood to the side, saying pitifully, “Sister might be with child. As your younger sister, I was merely trying to stand up for you. How could my lord blame me?”
The words exchanged between them were full of barbs. Taohua quickly stepped back, curiously watching the two women.
From their conversation, it seemed that Liu Shi had gone to call Shen Zaiyi without Gu Shi’s approval. Liu Shi had taken it upon herself to go to Lingwu Court and make a fuss, while Gu Shi was eager to distance herself, not wanting to be implicated at all.
How interesting, Taohua thought. Why had these sisters of many years turned against each other?
Shen Zaiyi remained silent, sitting quietly. Meanwhile, Gu Shi and Liu Shi continued their back-and-forth, almost breaking into an argument.
“Without confirming anything, you rushed to inform my lord. If it disappoints him later, should he blame you or me?” Gu Shi said.
Liu Shi retorted, “Sister, you’re taking my good intentions for granted. When you couldn’t find a female doctor earlier, wasn’t it I who went to the pharmacy to request a doctor? I was concerned for you, but as soon as you see my lord, you push everything onto me.”
“I know very well whether you truly mean well for me or not,” Gu shi sneered. “Even if you’ve worn a sheep’s skin for many years, a wolf is still a wolf. Your true face will be revealed sooner or later.”
“Sister, you…”
“That’s enough,” Shen Zaiyi finally spoke up, interrupting them. “It’s shameful for family members to quarrel like this. Since it hasn’t been confirmed yet, have the doctor come to Wenqing Pavilion daily to check her pulse. The servants should also take extra care. We’ll discuss this further when more time has passed.”
“Thank you, my lord!” Gu Shi bowed her head in gratitude, while Liu Xiangjun fell silent.
Jiang Taohua, who had been watching from the side, finally approached and said softly to Gu Huairou, “Since it hasn’t been confirmed yet, there’s still hope. My lady should rest well.”
Gu Huairou looked at her with a complex expression. Constrained by Shen Zaiyi’s presence, she could only nod in response.
“If there’s nothing else, you may all disperse,” Shen Zaiyi stood up, offering a token gesture of concern. “Don’t go wandering about unnecessarily. Take good care of yourself.”
“Yes,” Gu Shi responded, secretly observing his expression.
My lord’s thoughts were still as difficult to guess as ever, she thought. Hearing such news, his face remained calm, showing neither anger nor particular joy. He then left, taking Jiang Niangniang with him.
“What did I tell you?” Once they had all left the courtyard, Liu Shi spoke with a sarcastic tone. “You treat that Jiang shi as your support, but she doesn’t care about you at all. Not only did she compete with you for the female doctor, but she also insisted on following when my lord came to see you. It’s clear she doesn’t want you to gain favor.”
Gu Huairou frowned, saying with displeasure, “You talk too much.”
“Sister, you’re so cold to me today,” Liu Xiangjun pouted, feigning hurt. “Not only do you ignore me, but you also blame me. It seems years of sisterhood can’t compare to wealth and glory after all.”
“Indeed, it can’t,” Gu Huairou looked up, meeting her eyes. “Isn’t that what you’ve always thought in your heart?”
Slightly taken aback, Liu Shi lowered her eyes, “What are you saying? I don’t understand. There’s medicine brewing outside. I’ll go check on it for you first.”
With that, she turned and left the inner chamber.
Human hearts are truly hard to fathom, Gu Shi thought with a sneer, leaning back against the bed and touching her belly.
If there was a piece of flesh growing inside, then she might have a chance at salvation.
Jiang Taohua followed behind Shen Zaiyi as they made their way back to Lingwu Court through the garden.
“Neither of us is in the best shape. Why are you walking so fast?” Taohua called out, holding her waist as she tried to keep up. “You were walking so slowly on the way there.”
“That’s because I was thinking,” Shen Zaiyi replied without turning back. “If you can’t keep up, just walk at your own pace. I’ll head back to the courtyard first.”
What kind of person is he? Taohua rolled her eyes and decided to slow down, truly walking by herself.
“My lord, don’t you find it strange?” Qing Tai, walking beside her, looked at the lord’s retreating figure and said, “This servant has never seen a husband who wasn’t excited when his wife might be with child.”
“It hasn’t been confirmed yet, right?” Taohua replied. “His reaction is normal. Without expectation, there won’t be disappointment.”
“This servant feels that Gu shi must not have the lord’s heart,” Qing Tai said. “If the lord truly liked her, even if it wasn’t confirmed, he should have stayed with her longer.”
That’s true, Taohua nodded. It seemed that Gu shi had been out of favor since she entered the household. Logically, as the daughter of the Minister of Rites, she shouldn’t be so neglected, right?
Unable to figure it out, she decided to stop thinking about it for now and focus on returning to Lingwu Court.
However, when she stepped into the courtyard, she saw two more people standing before Shen Zaiyi.
“This concubine acknowledges her fault and is willing to accept punishment,” Mei Zhaoxue knelt before him, speaking firmly. “The apologies that should be made, this concubine has already made. Lady Meng is magnanimous and does not hold a grudge.”
Shen Zaiyi turned to look at Meng Shi, whose small face was still somewhat pale, the worry between her brows seeming to have deepened: “As the madam said, as long as you’re willing to clear my name, I don’t want to hold any grudges…”
“That’s good then,” Shen Zaiyi nodded. “Since you were wrongly accused, I should offer some compensation. I’ll have the steward send some things to your courtyard later. Don’t be upset anymore.”
With tears in her eyes, Meng Shi choked out a response and glanced at Mei Zhaoxue before retreating. As she passed by Taohua, she raised her eyes and gave her a cold look.
Taohua was bewildered, thinking to herself that she hadn’t offended her, had she? Why was she looking at her like that?
“You may rise as well,” Shen Zaiyi extended his hand, helping Mei Zhaoxue to her feet. “There are many people in this courtyard. You’ve had a hard time.”
“This concubine doesn’t find it hard. As long as my lord can be at ease, this concubine is willing to do anything,” Mei Zhaoxue said softly, her expression gentle.
Such a person is suitable to be the main wife, Taohua thought, nodding. Although Mei Shi’s heart might not be truly kind, if she could manage the rear court well and save Shen Zaiyi from worry, she would be a qualified mistress of the household.
After everyone had left, Shen Zaiyi seemed to finally relax, lying down on the soft couch and saying, “Now I can rest properly for a few days.”
So he had been busy all this time? Taohua raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, “My lord seems to have recovered quite well. When can this concubine return to Zhengchun Pavilion?”
Shen Zaiyi glanced at her sideways and said, “You’re not usually one to avoid seeking favor. Since you can stay in Lingwu Court, why do you want to return to Zhengchun Pavilion?”
Taohua pursed her lips, thinking to herself that she wasn’t stupid. If she were to seek favor, it would be for private affection. Openly staying in his courtyard like this was just asking for trouble, wasn’t it? Even the madam hadn’t moved in yet, so who was she to do so?
“Does my lord mean that you’re reluctant to see me go?” She smiled, naturally climbing into Shen Zaiyi’s arms and hugging his waist, coquettishly saying, “Then can this concubine stay here permanently?”
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly as Shen Zaiyi looked at her with disdain, “Can you stop climbing on me at every turn?”
“I can’t,” Taohua smiled charmingly, tilting her head. “My lord’s body is the most comfortable.”
His eyes darkened slightly as Shen Zaiyi reached out to grasp her wrist, pulling her close. He chuckled and asked, “Which part of my lord’s body is the most comfortable?”
Taohua: “…”
What a shameless rogue! Can’t he have some of the dignity befitting a high-ranking official? Be a little more reserved! She was trying to act coy with him, and he turns it around to stump her like this? Is that interesting? Is that romantic?
She obediently climbed down and, no longer smiling playfully, said seriously, “If there’s nothing else for this concubine to do, then this concubine will return to Zhengchun Pavilion tonight to continue recuperating.”
“There is something,” Shen Zaiyi pursed his lips, glancing at her. “Tomorrow, go and have a set of clothes made. Prince Nan will be coming to see you in a couple of days.”
Prince Nan is coming? Upon hearing this, Taohua was immediately overjoyed. That young boy kept his word and was very responsible, coming to check regularly whether she had been killed by Shen Zaiyi or not. This greatly increased her chances of safely surviving in this viper’s nest.
“I promised him I would take good care of you, so until he’s reassured, you’ll stay here,” Shen Zaiyi smiled, his eyes looking deeply at her. “I don’t need to teach you what to say and what not to say, do I?”
“My lord, rest assured,” Taohua smiled. “This concubine understands!”
To be honest, Taohua still felt quite guilty about deceiving a child like that last time. Now that she finally didn’t have to use him anymore, she planned to properly repay him this time.
Taking Qing Tai with her to choose fabric for clothes and select ingredients for some pastries, Jiang Taohua was busy running around Lingwu Court for the next few days.
Shen Zaiyi would occasionally look up from his official documents to glance at her. Seeing her in such high spirits, he sneered.
And she said she was recuperating. Looking at her now, she seemed capable of climbing a mountain to hunt tigers.
However, there was one thing he was still curious about. Jiang Taohua and Mu Wuxia had only met by chance and barely exchanged a few words. How had they come to value each other so much?
A few days later, the Prince Nan arrived.
The household prepared the usual courtesies. Jiang Taohua had been at her dressing table early, getting ready. After changing into her dress, she ran to Shen Zaiyi and asked, “Does it look good?”
(End of Chapter)